Webster wins seat in second attempt

She defeats two political novices in low-key battle

Royal Palm Beach — Taking a second chance at bat, Martha Webster hit a home run.

With 13 of 18 precincts counted, the 11-year village resident beat back political novices to become the newest member of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.

This was her second run for a Village Council seat.

"I'm really glad I won," she said. "But the moment goes quickly because now you have to deliver. You have to do something."

Webster defeated political newcomers Tinuade PeM-qa, 34, a civil engineer, and David Dangerfield, 50, a retired New York City firefighter.

In a low-key campaign, the candidates politely sparred over such issues as traffic, development, property tax reform and a proposed 160-acre park.

The only sparks from the three-way race came from dueling endorsements.

Mayor David Lodwick and councilmen David Swift and Matty Mattioli endorsed PeM-qa. It was a clear rebuff of Webster, who ran unsuccessfully against Swift in 2006 in a bitter contest.

Following that loss, Webster, 61, went on to lodge complaints against Swift, Mattioli and former Councilwoman Barbara Isenberg for campaign finance violations in the 2006 election. The Florida Elections Commission fined all three for minor infractions.

Showing her willingness to fight, Webster countered with her own key endorsement. She garnered the support of County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who said he came out in support of Webster because the council incumbents had taken the unusual step of throwing their weight behind one candidate, particularly an inexperienced one.

"The objective here is to change the political maneuvering and political scheming that's been going on in Palm Beach County for a long, long time," Santamaria said Tuesday at Webster's campaign party. "I hope this is the beginning of years and years of doing what's right for our community."

Councilman Fred Pinto didn't endorse anyone.

Webster reveled in her victory, promising to erase any ill will that remains between her and other council members. "We just really have to buckle down and move forward and work for the village," she said. "I'm confident we can do that."

All the candidates had to contend with a shortened campaign season, scrambling to get their names and messages out. The Village Council moved its general election up from March to coincide with the presidential primary to save money, an option all other municipalities were given when the state moved up the presidential primary. Only Royal Palm Beach and Hypoluxo made the switch.

Webster, who runs Palm Beach County's 4-H Youth Development Program, took advantage of her name recognition from the previous campaign to appeal to voters and raise more money than her opponents. She raised more than $13,000 compared to PeM-qa's $9,000 and Dangerfield's $700.

Angel Streeter can be reached at astreeter@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6537.